Z852/2/10

Interview with Pete Robert Shaw about work at Winchester Co., Bedford (1) The firm producing brakes and clutches for industrial equipment and employing 80 people, recently reduced by 9 redundancies. Winchester had recently been taken over by the Damer Group, an American firm with a factory in USA. (2) The work was not particularly skilled but was specialised. The company operated a work cell system to encourage flexibility of skills. (3) Working and management practice is described in great detail, including the discouragement of union activity. (4) The closure of a number of light engineering firms in Bedford is discussed, including Georg Fischer. (5) The racial makeup is analysed (one third native English, Italian and Indian) and the good relations between the indigenous community and the Italian community commented on. ( Original Ref. SS 33 Pete Robert Shaw Winchester Co )

1994

From: 1994 To: 1994

item

Shaw, Pete Robert,
Winchester Company,
George Fischer Castings Limited

ethnic minorities, tape recordings, general trade & industry, Italians, BEDFORD